News
Police Day observed in Georgia
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili speaking at Police Day. (Photo published by Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police Day was marked in Georgia May 19. It was supposed to have been held on May 6, but the event was rescheduled due to the Easter celebration. The Interior Ministry used the occasion to present a new uniform, a shoulder-mounted video […]
Gathering today to condemn Friday’s violence
Priests removing the police barricades Friday. (Click to enlarge.) (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After the violence yesterday, a gathering is planned today Saturday outside the government building on Ingorokva Street 7 at 15:00 to condemn what happened. Organizers say the goal is to condemn the violence by clerics and others who confronted the LGBT […]
Georgian Church distances itself from anti-gay violence
Clerics addressing the anti-gay demonstrators with megaphone Friday. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian church is distancing itself from the violence on May 17, but maintains that LGBT propaganda is not acceptable. Patriarch Ilia II commented on the violent clashes between his parishioners and LGBT campaigners in Tbilisi. Ilia II called […]
Georgian Church mobilized thousands against LGBT event
The Georgian Orthodox Church mobilized thousands of people in Tbilisi to prevent activists for the rights of sexual minorities to peacefully mark the International Day Against Homophobia. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Thousands of parishioners and clerics from the Georgian Orthodox Church May 17 prevented LGBT rights activists from carrying through a peaceful rally against homophobia in downtown Tbilisi. According to the health minister, the day ended with 28 […]
Gay rights protesters driven out of Tbilisi, many injured
Orthodox Christian activists successfully prevented a peaceful demonstration against homophobia in Tbilisi Friday. Twenty eight people were injured. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Orthodox Christian activists Friday successfully prevented a peaceful demonstration to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in Tbilisi. After numerous violent incidents throughout the day which led to more than twenty people being […]
Foreign trade turnover fell 4% Jan-Apr 2013
Georgia’s foreign trade turnover fell in the first four months of 2013. (GeoStat.) TBILISI, DFWatch–According to preliminary data, Georgia’s foreign trade turnover has decreased by four percent in the months January through April of 2013, compared to the same period in the preceding year. The total foreign trade turnover in this period totaled […]
Three rebel fighters reburied in Pankisi
Salam Zaurbekov, Aslan Margoshvili and Bajaudi Baghakashvili were reburied in Duisi, Pankisi Gorge, Thursday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The bodies of three militants who died in a border shooting in August 2012 were Thursday reburied in Duisi, in the Pankisi Gorge in Georgia. An autopsy has been carried out on the bodies of Salam Zaurbekov, Aslan Margoshvili and Bajaudi Baghakashvili, […]
Three dead ISAF soldiers brought back to Georgia
The three ISAF soldiers killed in a May 13 attack were Thursday brought back to Georgia. (Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The three Georgian soldiers who May 13 died in Afghanistan were today brought back to Georgia. The bodies of Corporal Alexandre Kvitsinidze, Corporal Vladmier Shanava and Sergeant Zviad Davitadze, arrived at Tbilisi airport on Thursday morning. […]
Georgia declares a day of mourning after Afghanistan losses
The three who died will be buried on May 16. (Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Mikheil Saakashvili, the President of Georgia, has declared May 16 a day of mourning as a tribute to those Georgian soldiers who have lost lives while serving in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. The presidential order says that May 16 will be announced […]
Secret archive of abuse videos discovered
Chief Prosecutor Archil Kbilashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office and the Prison Ministry have discovered a secret archive of prison videos. At a meeting with journalists, Prison Minister Sozar Subari said that when the government came to power these kinds of archives were put away, but […]
Suspect in sex tape leak out on bail and fired
Deputy Interior Minister Gela Khvedelidze is free on bail. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Gela Khvedelidze, the Deputy Interior Minister accused of leaking a sex tape, is free on USD 3 000 bail and has been removed from his position. Khvedelidze was detained a few days ago for publishing a video with intimate scenes between three people. Wednesday Tbilisi […]
Saakashvili back for another US visit
President Mikheil Saakashvili (left) talking to Marco Rubio, the junior US Senator from Florida (R). (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After touring the United States for several days in the beginning of May, President Mikheil Saakashvili is back on an other visit to the country. He has already had a meeting with Senator Marco Rubio, one of the Republican party’s presidential […]
27 Georgians were wounded in attack, some back on duty
The three soldiers who died in Afghanistan will soon be brought home to Georgia. (Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Ten of the 27 wounded Georgian soldiers in an insurgent attack have returned to duty in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, while the remaining 17 are still undergoing medical treatment. Part of the wounded may be taken to Germany or brought to […]
Another hailstorm hits eastern Georgia
The storm destroyed crops and fruit in five villages. TBILISI, DFWatch–A strong hailstorm hit Georgia’s eastern Kakheti region Monday, almost completely destroying fruits and crops in five villages. Giorgi Sibashvili, former Deputy Governor of Kakheti, told Interpressnews that hail has destroyed agricultural lands […]
Injured ISAF soldiers brought to hospital
Master Sergeant Zviad Davitadze (left), Corporal Aleksandre Kvitsinadze and Corporal Vladimer Shanava lost their lives in the attack. (Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian soldiers who were wounded in yesterday’s attack in Afghanistan are in a satisfactory health condition and have been moved to the main hospital at Base Bastion, according to the Ministry of Defense. Three Georgian soldiers in the 42nd battalion […]
Georgia preparing second investigation into the 2008 war
TBILISI, DFWatch–A group of eight persons will study crimes commited during and after the Russia-Georgia war in August, 2008. Following a decision by Chief Prosecutor Archil Kbilashvili, representatives of three bodies will sit in the investigative group and study […]
Three Georgian soldiers die in Afghanistan
Defense Minister Irakli Alasania. (Still from a Ministry of Defense video announcement.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three Georgian soldiers died on Monday in Afghanistan in a large attack by insurgents. There are wounded soldiers as well, Defense Minsiter informs. Georgia’s Defense Minsiter Irakli Aalasania said Monday that the insurgent attack took place […]
Saakashvili vetoes two bills
President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has vetoed two bills passed by parliament. One of the bills is about amendments to the Civil Code of Georgia, which allows to change the status of non-profit legal entities and change the status of a a private law entity […]
Georgia to destroy its ‘dirty archive’ of personal secrets
Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Ministry of Internal Affairs has agreed with the Prosecutor’s Office to immediately destroy a ‘dirty archive’ of compromising material created during President Saakashvili’s various governments. Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili said […]
Interior Ministry official detained for publishing sex video
Deputy Interior Minister Gela Khvedelidze (left) was detained for releasing the sex tape. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The deputy interior minister has been detained for posting a sex video on the Internet allegedly involving a journalist who had criticized him. Interior Minister Irakli Gharibashvili Sunday evening held a press conference to talk about the investigation into […]
Ivanishvili impatient to set date for presidential election
Giorgi Margvelashvili speaking as Georgian Dream’s candidate for president. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishivli calls on President Mikheil Saakashvili to set a date for the presidential election. Representatives of the president’s administration told DF Watch that the president’s opinion about this issue is still unknown. […]
Saakashvili escapes late night brawl
The scuffle at La Truffe involved throwing of cups, plates and ashtrays. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili left a restaurant in Tbilisi before there broke out a scuffle between several well-known politicians. Three members of President Mikheil Saakashvili’s United National Movement (UNM), including two parliamentarians, […]
21 percent more visitors to Georgia in April
Tbilisi international airport. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–21 percent more foreigners visited Georgia in April 2013 than in the same month the year before. In the first five months of the year as a whole, 32 percent more foreigners visited the country, compared to the preceding year. These figures […]
Ivanishvili picks Margvelashvili as candidate for president
Giorgi Margvelashvili looks likely to become Georgia’s next president, if the latest poll is correct. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Dream coalition has chosen Minister of Education Giorgi Margvelashvili as its candidate for president in the upcoming election. “Giorgi Margvelashvili has all good skills to be a president,” Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said at […]
Tbilisi’s new biolab to be owned by the NCDC
The laboratory building lies near the international airport in Tbilisi. TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia has decided to change the ownership of the Richard G Lugar Public Health Research Center in Tbilisi. The liquidation process is to take three months and the center’s property will be handed over to the National Center […]
EU Day marked in Georgia
The city authorities in Tbilisi celebrated EU Day Thursday. (Photo published by Mayor Gigi Ugulava.) TBILISI, DFWatch–May 9, “EU Day” was observed in its member countries. Also in Georgia, which is not a member, the day was celebrated with cultural events. A concert was held in Tbilisi by the initiative of the mayor. Diplomats and national minorities, as […]
Georgia’s next president is being selected
Defense Minister Irakli Alasania says he knows ‘almost for certain’ who the Georgian Dream coalition will pick for presidential candidate. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Members of the two main political blocs in Georgia are discussing who might be their candidate for the presidential election in October, 2013. Both plan to hold a ballot to select their candidate. In a recent survey conducted by the National […]
Eleven more Georgians released by South Ossetia
The eleven had been detained for crossing the border into South Ossetia, a Georgian breakaway region which Russia has propped up for over twenty years. (Police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Eleven more Georgia citizens have been released from their detention by Russian soldiers. They were detained earlier in May for crossing the border with South Ossetia. The release on Wednesday came after the Ministry of Interior had held […]
Controversial head of party finance watchdog resigns
Natia Mogeladze has not commented on why she resigned as head of the body that monitors the financing of political parties. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Natia Mogeladze, head of the Financial Monitoring Service for political parties, resigned on Wednesday. According to the State Audit Office, a body subordinate to the Financial Monitoring Service, it was Mogeladze’s own decision to resign. […]
FBI’s Robert Mueller visiting Georgia regarding Sochi Olympics
FBI Director Robert Mueller (left) and Georgia’s Minister of Justice Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Robert Mueller, director of the US federal police FBI, has paid a visit to Georgia in connection with the Olympic winter games in Sochi in 2014. This is Mueller’s second visit to Georgia. The first time was in May, 2010, when he discussed deepening […]
Georgia examining bodies of dead Chechen fighters
Georgian police in Lapankuri, August 29, 2012. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Authorities in Georgia Wednesday conducted a somewhat belated autopsy of the bodies of some of the dead in a special operation along the border with Russia in August, 2012. The shooting in a forested hillside in Lapankuri, near the border between Georgia […]
OSCE delegation held closed door meetings
TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliamentarians from the coalition of Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and the National Movement (UNM) party of President Saakashvili on Tuesday met with a delegation from the OSCE to discuss current events in Georgia, foreign policy and other […]
12 Georgians released from South Ossetian detention
Five of the detainees were minors from the village Korbouli. (Police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Twelve Georgian citizens were Tuesday released after having been detained by Russian soldiers for crossing the border of South Ossetia. May 1 to 4, Russian soldiers detained 22 people living in villages near to the breakaway region. According […]
Ivanishvili intensifies search for presidential candidate
Bidzina Ivanishvili’s coalition is searching for a candidate for president. Defense Minister Irakli Alasania (left) has been mentioned as a strong contender. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Dream coalition will name its candidate for president next week. At the end of the week, the coalition’s council will decide who will represent it in the upcoming presidential election. Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili on Tuesday […]
Saakashvili and Aliyev discussed Kars-Akhalkalaki railway
Georgia’s President Mikheil Saakashvili (center left) and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili discussed the construction of the Kars-Akhalkalaki railway with President Ilham Aliyev during his visit to Azerbaijan. The heads of state of the two neighboring countries underlined that the construction of […]
University rectors call for amendment to be stopped
Gigi Tevzadze, Rector of Ilia State University in Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The rectors of two large universities in Georgia ask President Mikheil Saakashvili to use his right to veto a law amendment which in their opinion will restrict the autonomy of universities. Gigi Tevzadze, Rector of Ilia State University, also known as Iliauni, said on Tuesday […]
OSCE parliamentarians visiting Georgia
The Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel, where some of the OSCE delegation’s meetings will take place. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A delegation from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) chaired by Wolfgang Grossruck, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, arrives in Georgia today Tuesday for a three day visit. In the delegation are also […]
Ombudsman claims Saakashvili government trained Chechen rebels
Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Public Defender says the eleven Chechen fighters who died in a shooting incident at the border between Georgia and Russia in August 2012, were part of an operation by the then Georgian government to train and equip fighters and send […]
Former AC Milan player Kaladze’s farewell match May 31
Former AC Milan player Kahki Kaladze, is energy minister in his native country Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, Andriy Shevchenko, Demetrio Albertini, Alessandro Nesta, these are among the confirmed names for football players who will take part in the farewell match of former AC Milan player and current Minister […]
Romania recognizes Georgia’s neutral passports
A woman waiting for the bus in Sokhumi, Abkhazia. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Romania has recognized Georgia’s so-called neutral travel documents, which are issued to people living in the breakaway territories Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Georgia’s Foreign Ministry received word of the decision Friday in a note from the […]
Georgia improves on press freedom list
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia climbs 15 places on Freedom House’s latest list of press freedom around the world. On the list Freedom of the Press 2013, Georgia is listed as partly free in 96th place with 49 points, up from 111th place and 52 points the year before. […]
Agricultural minister resigns amidst fraud scandal
Minister of Agriculture Davit Kirvalidze has resigned after ten of his staff were detained in a corruption scandal. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Minister of Agriculture, Davit Kirvalidze, resigned on Thursday taking responsibility for a fraudulent scheme uncovered in his ministry which recently led to ten people being detained. Police on Wednesday detained ten employees suspected […]
Court reform set to be enforced against Saakashvili’s veto
Deputy Justice Minister Sandro Baramidze, one of the people behind the bill, says it will free the courts from political influence. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliament in Georgia has overturned President Saakashvili’s veto against legislative amendments about judicial reform. Those behind the amendments claim that they serve to depolarize the court system. According to the draft, which has been passed […]
Saakashvili met Kerry and Biden
US Secretary of State John Kerry (left) and Georgia’s President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili Wednesday continued his tour of the US and held meetings with Secretary of State John Kerry and Vice President Joe Biden. “We applaud the democratic transition that has been taking place in Georgia,” Kerry said in […]
Alasania disappointed by lack of support from Germany
Georgia’s Defense Minister Irakli Alasania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Defense Minister Irakli Alasania said on Wednesday that in the past, there have been exceeded expectations about Germany’s support for Georgia’s aspirations to become a NATO member. He said this as he opened a forum to discuss strategic […]
Ivanishvili considers halting prosecution of ex officials
Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili (left), Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and Minister of Internal Affairs Irakli Gharibashvili. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In Georgia the Ivanishvili government will consider halting the prosecution of former government officials as part of an initiative by the prime minister to bring about reconciliation. But Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili made it clear […]
Ivanishvili expects NATO membership plan next year
Prime Minister of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili (right), expects NATO to commit to making Georgia a member through a Membership Action Plan in 2014. On the left, Switzerland’s Ambassador to Georgia, Guenther Baechler. (Official Photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The new government expects Georgia to receive a membership action plan (MAP) next year. Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said this Tuesday at the 22. anniversary of the Georgian army. The head of government has often had to defend himself against […]
NATO experts discuss reopening Abkhazia railway
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili during the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Rose Roth Seminar in Tbilisi this week. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The plan to reopen a railway through breakaway Abkhazia came up during a NATO seminar in Tbilisi. Lawrence Scott Sheets, South Caucasus Project Director for the International Crisis Group, said during the 83rd Rose Roth Seminar of NATO’s […]
Uncertainty over Saakashvili’s annual address to parliament
TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliament is ready to listen to the president’s annual address to the nation, but the president may not show up. Pavle Kublashvili from President Saakashvili’s United National Movement party says that the annual address has not been scheduled. […]
Georgia may start using biometric voters lists
Voters queuing on election day October 1, 2012. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is considering using biometric information to identify voters in the next election. A cross-faction group in parliament presented a proposal on Monday about how to prepare the voters’ list in the future. Those behind the project […]
Georgia-Russia meeting set for June 4-5 in Prague
Zurab Abashidze is Georgia’s representative at the meetings. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Zurab Abashidze, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Relations with Russia, will meet with Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Gregory Karasin on 4 or 5 June in Prague. This will be the third meeting between Abashidze and Karasin since […]
Fear of surveillance must be eliminated, says Ivanishvili
Editor in Chief of Rezonansi Lasha Tughushi (left), Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili and Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The new government is not conducting illegal surveillance of citizens, but the fear people have of being tracked should be eliminated, Prime Minister Bidzina Ivansihvili said on Monday. Georgia’s National Platform of the Eastern Partnership, which […]
Ivanishvili optimistic about NATO membership prospects
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili (center) attending NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Rose Roth Seminar in Tbilisi. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–‘A magical recipe for Georgia’s NATO integration without offending Russia is Georgia becoming an interesting country,’ says Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. He said this Monday as he attended the 83rd Rose Roth Seminar of NATO’s […]
Georgia best nation in European Judo Championships
Amiran Papinashvili (left) and Lasha Shavdatuashvili, two of Georgia’s gold medalists this year. (Ministry of Sport.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia won the 2013 European Judo Championships for men with three gold, three silver and one bronze medal, followed by Russia with one gold, one silver and one bronze and France with one gold and six bronze. The Georgian team won a gold medal […]
Counting finishes in Georgia by-election
Voting underway Saturday at a precinct in Nadzaladevi, Tbilisi. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Dream coalition’s candidates have won the by-election in all three districts, according to preliminary results after counting of votes in all precincts. The Central Election Commission on Sunday published the results of counting votes […]
Ivanishvili says Georgia has softer tone towards Russia
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili speaking from his business center in Tbilisi. (Rustavi 2.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said Friday that Georgia has softened its tone towards Russia in the new security doctrine. But Defense Minister Irakli Alasania and Secretary of the National Security Council Giga Bokeria deny that Georgia […]
Ivanishvili will soon announce his candidate for president
TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili will announce his political bloc’s candidate for president in one or two weeks. Mr Ivanishvili said this during an appearance on a talk show on Rustavi 2 Friday. The presidential election is scheduled for […]
Ivanishvili alliance wins Georgia by-election
Voting precinct in Tbilisi’s Nadzaladevi district Saturday. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Results published by the Central Election Commission after Saturday’s by-election in Georgia show that all three Georgian Dream coalition candidates are leading. According to the CEC results, Tamar Kordzaia, Georgian Dream coalition candidate […]
Violations observed in Georgia by-election
Photo from Baghdati showing the car allegedly belonging to a policeman parked outside the voting precinct. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In Georgia, a by-election is underway in three election districts. Turnout is largest in Baghdati, a town in western Georgia, where 21 percent (5 000) voters already had cast their vote by noon. 10 percent voted in Nadzaladevi, a district in Tbilisi, […]
By-elections in three districts in Georgia today
TBILISI, DFWatch–By-elections are held three places in Georgia on Saturday to fill seats in parliament that became vacant as the Ivanishvili government took power last year. The three election districts are, Nadzaladevi in the capital Tbilisi, and Samtredia […]
Third gold to Georgia in judo championship
Avtandil Chrikishvili. (Ministry of Sports.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has its third European judo champion, after Avtandil Chrikishvili won gold medal in men’s 81 kg on Friday. Chrikishvili defeated Tomislav Marijanovic of Croatia in the final to win gold in the 2013 European Championship in Budapest. […]
Georgia’s Independence Day celebration to have regional profile
An armored vehicle on Roses Square in Tbilisi May 26, 2012. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Ivanishvili government is making plans for a different kind of Independence Day celebration on May 26. Instead of a big military parade in the capital, as was the rule under President Saakashvili, it is planning to hold many smaller events […]
Ivanishvili alliance to overturn Saakashvili’s veto
The session hall in parliament in Kutaisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The parliament in Georgia will overturn President Saakashvili’s veto against two judicial reform bills on May 1. Irina Imerlishvili, chair of the committee on procedural issues, said at a press conference Thursday that parliament will […]
Two prison inspectors organized ‘welcome greeting’
A guard tower in Rustavi prison. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two former inspectors at a prison in Rustavi, a town just south of Tbilisi, have been detained, suspected of mistreatment of prisoners. Interpressnews quotes a representative of the regional prosecutor’s office who gave the names of the detainees […]
Georgia takes second gold in judo championship
Lasha Shavdatuashvili. (Sports Ministry.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Lasha Shavdatuashvili Thursday won gold in the European Judo Championship in Budapest. This is Georgia’s second gold in this year’s championship. The first one was won by Amiran Papinashvili. Before Thursday’s win, 21 year old […]
Used cars remains Georgia’s biggest export product
(Source: GeoStat.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in the first three months of 2013 was USD 2 144 million. This is five percent less than in the preceding period, according to a new report by Georgia’s National Statistics Department, Geostat. Export amounted to […]
Izvestia claims link between Boston bomber and Georgian intel
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Russian newspaper Izvestia accuses Georgia’s special services of having trained one of the brothers behind the recent Boston marathon bombings, but Georgian officials deny this. According to an article published in Izvestia, Tamerlan Tsarnayev, […]
Saakashvili met Bush in Texas
Georgia’s first lady Sandra Roelofs (left), President Mikheil Saakashvili, and former US President George W. Bush. (Photo published on Saakashvili’s Facebook page.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s President Mikheil Saakashvili kicked off his visit to the US by meeting with ex-president George W. Bush and NATO’s Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Pictures posted on Saakashvili’s official Facebook page showed him and his wife […]
Kerry promises to visit Georgia
Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maia Panjikidze (left), and US Secretary of State, John Kerry in Brussels Wednesday. TBILISI, DFWatch–US Secretary of State John Kerry has promised that he will visit Georgia. Kerry made the promise as he met Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maia Panjikidze in Brussels on Wednesday to talk about Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, […]
Georgia offers Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway for ISAF exit
NATO’s Caucasus and Central Asia envoy James Appathurai (left) and Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Maia Panjikidze in Brussels today. (Ministry photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia offers NATO to use the new Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway to ship equipment out of Afghanistan after the ISAF mission finishes in 2014, Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze says. Construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, one of the largest […]
Saakashvili vetoes new court reforms
President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has vetoed two law amendments passed by parliament as part of an effort to reform the justice system. One bills is about new rules for staffing the High Council of Justice, while the other one has to do with restricting […]
Saakashvili criticizes Ivanishvili for admitting Georgia made mistakes
President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s President Mikheil Saakashvili has criticized Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili for remarks he made regarding two breakaway regions in a speech in Strasbourg Tuesday. Mr Ivanishvili, who was speaking at a session of the Parliamentary […]
Visa rules topic for next Georgia-Russia meeting
Zurab Abashidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is hoping for an easing of visa rules for those of its citizens who plan to visit Russia. This was one of the things that came out of a phone conversation between the two diplomats who are handling the political contact between […]
Ivanishvili answered questions in Strasbourg
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili answering questions in Strasbourg Tuesday at a meeting of the Council of Europe. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili on Tuesday presented his government’s plans for creating new jobs, amending the labor legislation and usher in new reforms to promote business. Mr Ivanishvili was speaking at a session of the Parliamentary […]
Saakashvili visits US to meet Biden and Kerry
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Next week President Mikheil Saakashvili plans to visit the US next week to meet with Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry and his old friend John McCain […]
Ivanishvili: Georgia needs support in dialogue with Russia
Prime Minister of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili, says the new dialogue with Russia doesn’t mean his country no longer needs support from its partners. TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says the fact that there is a dialogue between Tbilisi and Moscow shouldn’t create the impression that the country doesn’t need support from its partners anymore. He said this in a speech at a session […]
Police in Georgia detain brothel owners
The owner of this hotel was detained for providing space for organized prostitution. (Police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have detained several hotel owners for providing space for organized prostitution. On Monday, the Interior Ministry informed that police from Adjara’s main police department had detained a man named Gela (born in 1984), […]
Russia to discuss Georgia’s foreign policy in PACE
Prime Minister of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili, is preparing for an important speech in Strasbourg tomorrow. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Russian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) plans to bring up the issue of changing Georgia’s foreign policy towards Russia during the ongoing session in Strasbourg. Alexey K. Pushkov, director of […]
92% of Georgians trust Patriarch Ilia II
Patriarch Ilia II has long been the most trusted person in Georgia. (Photo courtesy of the Georgian Orthodox Church.) TBILISI, DFWatch–92 percent of Georgians say they like Patriarch Ilia II, who for many years has been the most trusted person in the country. According to a new survey published by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) on Monday, 75 percent say they like Prime […]
Ivanishvili bloc leading ahead of Georgian presidential election
National Democratic Institute’s Country Director for Georgia, Luis Navarro, presenting the poll on Monday. (DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–If public attitudes stay the same until fall, the Georgian Dream coalition’s candidate will win the presidential election clearly, without the need for a second round. 58 percent of Georgians say they would like to see the Georgian Dream candidate […]
US State Dep hails Georgian election in new report
TBILISI, DFWatch–The U.S. State Department has published a report on human rights which describes the October election in Georgia as historic. The report deals with the parliamentary election in October, the prison torture, problems within the justice system […]
Saakashvili’s party allies attack former intelligence head
Tabula editor Tamar Chergoleishvili called Data Akhalaia a ‘maniaki’ (a serial killer). (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Supporters of President Mikheil Saakashvili’s party, the National Movement, are speaking out against a former head of the domestic intelligence service CSD/KUD, who criticized the party strongly last week. A message was posted to the Facebook […]
Ivanishvili to address PACE on Tuesday
TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili will address the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg on Tuesday. His speech is expected to deal with the new reforms his government has begun of the courts and the constitution, […]
Georgia to consider legal recognition of church weddings
Jvristsera, church weddings, are not legally recognized in today’s Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia may consider granting legal status to weddings conducted by the church. This issue will be studied in the near future by the commission which handles relations between the state and the Orthodox Church. Today, a marriage […]
Saakashvili fired up crowd for anti-Russia themed rally
President Mikheil Saakashvili branded his opponents as traitors who are in league with the enemy, Russia. (DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgians in the United States rallied in New York Friday, in protest against the foreign policy of the Ivanishvili government, which has ruled Georgia for six months. The rally was the continuation of a mass gathering in the capital of their […]
Saakashvili says government is partly Russian-friendly
The Ivanishvili government is ‘partly friendly towards Russia’, President Mikheil Saakashvili claimed at a rally of his party, the National Movement, on Friday. (DF Watch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In a speech Friday, President Mikheil Saakashvili accused the Georgian government of being ‘partly friendly towards Russia’. He was speaking at a rally of his party, the United National Movement, in Tbilisi in order to show off popular support […]
Saakashvili’s supporters gathering in Tbilisi for rally
TBILISI, DFWatch–The United National Movement (UNM) party of President Mikheil Saakashvili will be subject to intense scrutiny today as it launches this year’s election campaign outside the old parliament in Tbilisi. Two organizations have informed that they […]
Yushchenko offers to pay for hot bath massage
Viktor Yushchenko, former president of Ukraine, wants to pay back USD 400 for a hot bath that was paid for by the state during Saakashvili’s government. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Viktor Yushchenko, the former president of Ukraine, has jumped into a political squabble in Georgia by saying he is willing to pay back USD 400 he was given for a visit to one of Tbilisi’s hot baths. The ex-president says through his spokesperson […]
Saakashvili allies rally in Tbilisi today
TBILISI, DFWatch–Saakashvili’s National Movement party is holding a protest rally at the old parliament building in Tbilisi today. According to the Interior Ministry, several streets and squares will be blocked off in connection with the event. There will be no traffic […]
Soldiers detained for harassment on religious grounds
Locals in Tsikhisdziri after the incident. (TV9.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Prosecutor’s Office in Georgia has published details of the military employees who a few days ago harassed and physically abused people on religious grounds. According to a statement issued on Thursday, Onise Khabulava, Chairman […]
Another store of unused emergency supplies found in Georgia
The emergency aid found in Gori last month. (Ministry of Refugees.) TBILISI, DFWatch–For the third time the Refugee Ministry has discovered a warehouse where there has been kept products and household items meant to be distributed to the refugees from the Russia-Georgia war in 2008, but instead has been locked away all this time. […]
Saakashvili and Ivanishvili exchanging corruption accusations
President Mikheil Saakashvili (right) during a visit by Russian journalist Ksenia Sokolova (left) in October, 2010. The president’s protection service, the SSPS, covered her stay with USD 6 000 and in addition paid for a USD 1 800 necklace for her. TBILISI, DFWatch–Two days before a planned rally by President Mikheil Saakashvili’s United National Movement, the ruling Georgian Dream coalition accuses it of embezzlement of state money. But the UNM claims the government is presenting […]
Saakashvili’s allies take leave from parliament
TBILISI, DFWatch–Members of Mikheil Saakashvili’s National Movement party have taken the last two days off from work in parliament in order to prepare for a big rally on April 19. One of the party’s leaders, Davit Bakradze, on Wednesday explained that for two […]
Saakashvili: 100 000 Russian troops crossed border in 2008
Tbilisi, DF Watch – President Mikheil Saakashvili says it was possible to avoid Russia-Georgian war of August 2008 only if Georgia would give up its statehood. He also remembered details of war saying that more than […]
Merabishvili claims criticism is the result of pressure
Merabishvili claims UNM members are under pressure (DFWatch Photo) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili claims that a scathing attack on him by a former colleague was the result of pressure. A message posted to Facebook and allegedly written by Data Akhalaia, the former head of the domestic […]
Drivers on strike in Imereti
Tamaz Khetsuriani, one of the drivers on strike in Imereti. (Maestro.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Problems are building for the local population as drivers on a minibus route between Zestaponi and Samtredia, two small towns in western Georgia, are on strike against a cut in their salaries. The strike is especially causing problems for small scale […]
Ex intelligence head attacks former interior minister
Data Akhalaia, former head of Georgia’s domestic intelligence service CSD/KUD, attacks former interior minister Vano Merabishvili in an open letter on Facebook. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A message posted on Facebook allegedly by a former official who fled from Georgia after the October elections has triggered a massive outcry in the country. The message purports to be written by Data Akhalaia, former head of Georgia’s domestic […]
42% of Georgians think Russia is an exaggerated threat
TBILISI, DFWatch–42 percent of Georgians think that Russia is a threat to Georgia, but that the threat is exaggerated. 26 percent think Russia is a real threat to Georgia, while 23 percent think Russia is no threat to Georgia. 9 percent don’t know, while one percent refused to answer […]
Georgians support constitutional amendment
TBILISI, DFWatch–Most Georgians agree with a new constitutional amendment, which was recently passed and reduced the rights of the president. People also support an initiative to reverse a decision to have parliament in the country’s second biggest city Kutaisi, […]
President Saakashvili won’t get a military parade this year
TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia has not invited President Mikheil Saakashvili to the celebration of Independence Day May 26, which this year will not involve a military parade. Vice Speaker of Parliament Manana Kobakhidze said the president still […]
Ugulava calls investigation ‘betrayal’
TBILISI, DFWatch–Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava has threatened that any investigator involved in the planned new investigation of the 2008 Georgia-Russia war will be participating in ‘betrayal’ and will be ‘punished’ when the right time comes. The government of […]
Hammarberg: Investigation will not ask who started ’08 war
Thomas Hammarberg, the EU’s special representative to Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Thomas Hammarberg, the EU’s Special Representative in Georgia, says both sides of in the Russia-Georgia war in August 2008 made mistakes and it is good if it will be investigated. Finishing off a visit, Hammarberg said at a press conference Sunday […]
Ivanishvili visits Germany
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili is visiting Germany to participate in a conference organized by the German Marshall Fund. Part of the delegation are also Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili, Foreign Affair Minister Maia Panjikidze, […]
Controversy continues over 2008 war inquest
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Ivanishvili government’s decision to launch a new investigation into the Russia-Georgia war in August 2008 is receiving a lot of criticism from opponents and former government officials, who claim that the decision is ‘anti-state’ and will […]
Turkey allows Georgian specialists in monastery works
Ishkhani is a Georgian monastery from the 7th century which lies inside Turkey. (Photo: Buba Kudava.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Turkey has agreed to allow Georgian specialists to participate in the restoration of a Georgian the 7th century Ishkhani Monastery on its territory. A meeting was held on Friday at the Ministry of Culture of Turkey in Ankara, where representatives […]
Georgia considers a softer way to mark its national day
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s president, Mikheil Saakashvili, says Georgia has a government which is ashamed of conducting an independence day parade and this way gives up the key to its independence. Georgia marks its independence day on May 26. […]
Kutaisi mayor deposed by city assembly
TBILISI, DFWatch–The city assembly in Kutaisi, Georgia’s second largest city, has dismissed its mayor by 14 votes against five. Besik Bregadze, former Kutaisi mayor, said that he now has an opportunity to rest, but still doesn’t know if he will remain […]
Woman detained for forcing daugther to appear in child pornography
TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have detained a 45 year old woman who is suspected of making and selling pornographic photo and video material of her 11 year old daughter. A 42 year old man was simultaneously detained in Israel, suspected of distributing […]
Saakashvili refuses to cooperate with 2008 war inquest
Georgia’s president Mikheil Saakashvili and Poland’s president Bronisław Komorowski in Warsaw Friday. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili says he doesn’t plan to cooperate with a new investigation of the Russia-Georgia war in August, 2008. “I, as president, distance myself completely from the statement by the prime minister that it was a fault […]
PayPal enters Georgia
USA2Georgia, one of the companies that offers online shopping to Georgians. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The e-commerce company PayPal will now offer its services in the country Georgia. It is not easy to get onto the company’s list of countries it covers, Deputy Economy Minister Dimitry Kumsishvili said Thursday. “But thanks to the efforts […]
Eight villages in Georgia had crops damaged by hail
The large hail stones caused damage to mainly peach trees and vineyards. TBILISI, DFWatch–Eight villages were affected by the hailstorm April 10, which lasted about 20 minutes and destroyed crops, mainly peach trees and vineyards. Among the villages that were damaged were Ruispiri, Ikalto, Kondoli and Tsinandali. In some of the villages, […]
Restoration halted at Georgian monastery in Turkey
Ishkhani Monastery in Turkey is undergoing restoration work. TBILISI, DFWatch–The rehabilitation of the Georgian Ishkhani Monastery on Turkish territory has been partly suspended. The Ministry of Culture a few days ago asked for a halt in rehabilitation work at the 7th century monastery until Georgian specialists have had […]
Four prison staff suspected of torture and rape in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia have detained two prison employees for torturing and raping a prisoner in 2012. The detentions took place at Ksani prison north of the capital. Two other employees are being searched for in the same case. The Prosecutor’s Office […]
Russia allows import of Georgia’s Borjomi mineral water
The Georgian mineral water Borjomi will soon be on sale in Russian supermarkets. TBILISI, DFWatch–After a second round of inspection, the Georgian mineral water Borjomi has been allowed to export to Russia. The watershed decision became known in Russian media on Thursday. Russian customer rights’ service known as Rospotrebnadzor has completed […]
Hail storm destroyed crops in Georgia
The hail left a 7-8 cm thick layer on the ground some places. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A hailstorm Wednesday destroyed harvest and flooded the first floors of houses in the village Ruispiri in eastern Georgia. Information Center of Kakheti reports that the hailstorm lasted 20 minutes and ripped the flowers off trees. “The hail […]
Ivanishvili defends new inquest into 2008 war
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has defended an initiative to investigate what happened during the war in 2008 between Russia and Georgia. The small Caucasus nation fought a brief war against Russia in August that year, and as Russia […]
Georgia to study mistakes made in 2008 war
The evaluation will not touch on the question of whether Russia started the war, which Defense Minister Irakli Alasania says is proven by the facts. (Info9.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In the next few days, Georgia will begin an evaluation of its own military actions during the war with Russia in August, 2008. Georgian military experts who have studied the August war have for a long time said it is necessary to have an official […]
Ivanishvili dares Saakashvili to announce new election
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has a clear message to President Mikheil Saakashvili: If you want to dismiss the government and announce a new election for parliament, go ahead and see what happens. Ivanishvili said he would welcome […]
Saakashvili’s party urges president to block three bills
TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili’s party members demand that the he uses his right to veto three important drafts which parliament currently is reviewing, one of which has already been passed. The draft bill about court reform was adopted on Thursday. […]
Saakashvili carries on visit with broken arm
Georgia’s president, Mikheil Saakashvili (left), two days after he broke his arm in three places in a bicycle accident. Turkish president Abdullah Gül right. TBILISI, DFWatch–Despite having a broken arm, Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili carried on his tour of Turkey Tuesday and met his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gül. On Sunday, Saakashvili crashed with a trailer in Antalya during his daily bicycle exercise. […]
Schwarzenberg tells Georgia Czech Republic can not mediate
Czech foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg says his country can not mediate between Georgia and Russia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia only respects larger states, therefore the Czech Republic cannot be mediator between Georgia and Russia, Czech foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg said on Tuesday. The minister, who is visiting Georgia, said this at a joint press conference […]
April 9 remembered in Georgia, 24 years on
People gathered outside the old parliament in Tbilisi to pay tribute to those who were killed on April 9, 1989. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–April 9 Georgia remembered that it was 24 years since Soviet troops dispersed a peaceful protest in Tbilisi, and 22 years since the day when Georgia restored its independence. People started arriving late night yesterday at the April 9 memorial […]
Georgia to guarantee free textbooks for all pupils
Education Minister Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s education minister Giorgi Margvelashvili has announced that school books will be free for every pupil in 2013-2014. He made the announcement at a press conference at one of the schools in Tbilisi on Monday. Margvelashvili underlined […]
30 town officials in Sagarejo replaced
TBILISI, DFWatch–International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) says people are still being fired for political reasons in Georgia and calls on the government to prevent it. The call comes after the dismissal of several employees of the local […]
Saakashvili hospitalized with broken arm after bike ride
Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili broke his arm Monday as he was out cycling in Antalya, Turkey. TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili has broken his arm while riding a bicycle during a visit to Turkey. He is undergoing medical treatment in Istanbul and all his meetings are postponed. The accident was reported by Turkish media, […]
Georgia will re-investigate 2008 war and question Saakashvili
Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s justice minister says it is necessary to question President Mikheil Saakashvili about the Russian-Georgian war in August 2008. Minister of Justice Thea Tsulukiani on Monday told local journalists that when the time comes for questioning […]
CEC approves candidates for Georgian by-election
Tamar Kordzaia is Georgian Dream’s candidate for the Nadzaladevi district in the capital Tbilisi. (Georgian Dream photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Central Election Commission in Georgia has confirmed the list of candidates for the by-elections on April 27. The two major political blocs in Georgia presented their majoritarian candidates one week ago. The election is needed because three […]
PACE co-rapporteurs visiting Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Michael Aastrup Jensen and Boriss Cilevics from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will arrive in Georgia on Monday for a five-day visit. On Monday, the co-rapporteurs have planned to hold meetings with Prime Minister Bidzina […]
Saakashvili visits Turkey
President Mikheil Saakashvili met with Georgians in the Turkish city Bursa. (President’s photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s president Mikheil Saakashvili is on an official visit to Turkey, and has already held meetings with the Turkish prime minister and ethnic Georgians living in the northern industrial city Bursa. After meeting with the prime minister, […]
Uncertainty remains about restoration of Rabati castle
From the reopening of Rabati castle in August, 2012. (President’s photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Friday a round table discussion was held about the rehabilitation of historic Rabati castle in the south of Georgia, but it ended without agreement. Representatives of the Culture Ministry, arts experts, archeologists, clerics, as well as the Secretary […]
Georgian parliament passes court reform bill
TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliament has finally passed the bill about common courts after months of discussions. But the law still requires the president’s signature in order to come into force, which it is expected that President Mikheil Saakashvili will refuse to provide. […]
Six Georgians released by South Ossetia
TBILISI, DFWatch–The de facto government of Georgia’s breakaway region South Ossetia has released six Georgians who were detained for ‘illegally crossing the border.’ Two of them have been detained since September 19, 2012. Malkhaz Titvelashvili and Givi […]
Georgia defends Ivanishvili’s Virgin Islands assets
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian government on Friday defended Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili after he was listed in an article in the Guardian as one of the people who own secret companies registered on the British Virgin Islands. The reason he didn’t disclose […]
Number of prisoners halved in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–The number of prisoners in Georgia was reduced by 56.2 percent in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, according to the Ministry of Corrections. The number of prisoners has been a cause of alarm during the last years. […]
Agreement about not changing the course of Mtkvari
The Mtkvari is the longest river in Georgia. TBILISI, DFWatch–The course of one of the main rivers in Georgia will not be changed, the energy minister said at a meeting with members of President Saakashvili’s party on Thursday. Mtkvari is the longest river in Georgia, and crosses the whole country from west […]
Georgian villagers want to stop land sale to Indians
Village Ditsi, close to the de facto border with breakaway South Ossetia. (Radio Liberty.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The population in the village Ditsi, which is located close to Georgia’s occupied Tskhinvali region, are protesting against the sale of their land to Indians and refuse to let them cultivate it. Even though the farmers in the village are left without pasture, […]
Saakashvili loses control of Kutaisi
TBILISI, DFWatch–Saakashvili’s National Movement party has lost its majority in Kutaisi city assembly. This is the second largest city in Georgia, and where the parliament currently is located. A nearby air field also newly connected the city by international […]
Turkey confirms Rabati castle agreement
Rabati castle in Akhaltsikhe, Georgia. (Ministry of Culture.) Turkey’s ambassador to Georgia confirms that experts from Turkey have visited Rabati castle and requested certain ‘changes and improvements’ for the complex. Two days ago, a spokesperson for President Mikheil Saakashvili presented a draft of an agreement […]
Saakashvili’s party criticizes easing of A, SO travel rules
TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili’s party is critical to a process to amend the law on the occupied territories. The amendment deals with rules for how to travel to the breakaway regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia and punishment for breaking the rules. […]
Government prepares to move parliament back to the capital
TBILISI, DFWatch–The government has announced a USD 3 million tender for the rehabilitation reconstruction of the old parliament building in Tbilisi. On Mikheil Saakashvili’s initiative, a new parliament was built in Kutaisi, the second largest city in the country. […]
Prisoner abuse a persistent problem in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Several hundred prisoners have complained to the public defender’s office from September of 2012 until the end of the year saying they were subject to mistreatment by prison staff. The disturbing figures are included in the ombudsman’s annual […]
Saakashvili’s party withdraws bill about white collar crime amnesty
TBILISI, DFWatch–President Saakashvili’s United National Movement (UNM) party is withdrawing a proposal to give amnesty to people guilty of financial fraud, saying it would fail to get the necessary votes. Member of Parliament for UNM Zurab Japaridze on Wednesday […]
Saakashvili: ‘Government plans drastic changes at historic castle’
President Mikheil Saakashvili at the reopening of Rabati Castle in August 2012. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili claims that the Ivanishvili government plans to make a deal with Turkey about removing Christian symbols from the historic Rabati Castle, but the Ministry of Culture claims Rabati won’t be destroyed in any of case. […]
Uncertainty about Georgia’s participation in EU’s Mali mission
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is waiting for confirmation from the European Union about whether to send military advisers to Mali to assist the Union’s mission there. Georgia told the EU in December it would contribute militarily to the fight against an Islamist insurgency […]
More people complaining about police harassing them
Five policemen who detained Tengiz Gunava, a former Interior Ministry employee, were later fired. Many Georgians are now complaining about police violating procedural rules. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A new report says a growing number of people are complaining about assaults and threats from the police. The troubling statistic appears in the Georgian ombudsman’s annual report to parliament, which takes stock of the human rights situation […]
Georgia won’t jail for illegal entering in occupied territories
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Georgia eases sanctions for entering its breakaway regions without proper procedures prescribed by the law on occupied territories. Violating this law first time will entail administrative sanctions, not criminal persecution and imprisonment as it is now. […]
Russia balks Borjomi comeback to its market
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Rospotrebnadzor, a Russian state customer rights’ service, unexpectedly blocked comeback of Borjomi, the best-known Georgian mineral water brand, to the Russian market for undefined period. Even though Borjomi […]
Twin Deficit
Irina Guruli is program coordinator at the Economic Policy Research Center. Twin deficit is a situation where a country’s economy is running two deficits at the same time: a fiscal deficit, and a deficit on the current account of the balance of payments. According to the twin deficit hypothesis, persistent fiscal shocks cause a deterioration […]
Church against minority languages charter
Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II says it is unacceptable to renew talks about adopting the language charter (IPN photo) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Illia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgian Orthodox Church, considers unacceptable to renew talks about adopting the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, […]
Saakashvili may be interrogated for 2008 war and Imedi TV seizure, prosecutor says
Tbilisi, DFWatch – As Archil Kbilashvili, the Chief Prosecutor, said the president might be interrogated on the 2008 war between Georgia and Russia, seizure of independent TV by Saakashvili’s close ally and ‘some other cases’. […]
No religious split-lines, ROC says to Abkhaz
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Abkhaz de facto leader was evidently informed that Russian Orthodox Church, unlike the Kremlin which recognized Abkhazia as an independent country, wouldn’t tolerate drawing ecclesiastical borders along political split-lines, at least formally. […]
7 members called for questioning, embattled UNM still holds ground in Tbilisi Sakrebulo
Zaal Samadashvili will retain the post of City Assembly Chairman for the next three months (Official Photo) Tbilisi, DFWatch – Seven members of Tbilisi City Assembly, all from the Saakashvili’s United National Movement, were summoned on Friday for interrogation to the investigative body of the Ministry […]
Third Georgian released by South Ossetia
Tbilisi, DFWatch – A Georgian was released from prison by the breakaway region South Ossetia Friday. This was the third Georgian prisoner to be released in the same number of days. The de facto authorities of the region on Friday released Ushangi Dotiashvili, […]
MoD proposes draft law increasing accountability to Parliament
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Ministry of Defense prepared two draft laws which, it argues, will increase its accountability before the parliament. The draft is about public and secret procurement […]
Georgia counting damage of the storm
Storm damaged boulevard of Batumi (President Press-office Photo) Tbilisi, DFWatch – The extent of damage after a storm March 23 continues to increase and has now reached about USD 4 million, according to the latest estimate. Energy Minister Kakhi Kaladze on Thursday informed that the worst losses was damaged houses […]
Georgia’s Mali mission finally decided, no details clear so far
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Georgia’s participation in the EU led mission in Mali is finally decided but the details has been yet to be defined, nor is it clear how many Georgian officers will participate in operation in the war-torn African nation, Vako Avaliani, Advisor of the Defense Minister, told DF Watch. […]
Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey plan closer cooperation
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Foreign ministers of Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey will be meeting on Thursday in Batumi, a city on the Black Sea coast. […]
Missing fisherman found dead after storm
The body belonged to a man who was seen falling overboard in the middle of a storm four days earlier. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The crew of a Georgian fishing boat Wednesday discovered the body of a man, 55, drifting in the Black Sea. The deceased, Davit Geladze, had been lost at sea during the storm of March 23 and was the subject of a search operation at the time his […]
Saakashvili signs constitutional amendment
Tbilisi, DFWatch – President Mikheil Saakashvili has signed the constitutional amendment which reduces his power, and it will be enforced as soon as it is published on Georgia’s legislative website. Speaker of Parliament […]
Georgia half-way through Russia’s quality control for wine
Tbilisi, DFWatch – A second group of Russian experts who should have arrived in Georgia on March 25 to monitor about 40 companies have rescheduled their visit for the beginning of April. […]
OSCE supports reform of public broadcaster
Tbilisi, DFWatch – OSCE supports a draft law to reform Georgia’s public broadcaster, but has some critical remarks. The organization’s media freedom representative, Dunja Mijatović, thinks the amendments of the law on broadcasting can provide for pluralism and transparency […]
Saakashvili presents a list of five new ambassadors
Tbilisi, DFWatch -President Saakashvili on Monday presented parliament with a list of five new ambassadors. The candidates are Khatuna Salukvadze for Lithuania, Zurab Pataradze for Kazakhstan, Irakli Koplatadze for Turkey, Teimuraz Sharashenidze for Azerbaijan […]
Swiss ambassador rushes to defend Ivanishvili against some European politicians
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Swiss Ambassador’s appealed to Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, besieged by some MEPs mostly from influential European People’s Party, with an open letter which he wrote […]
Saakashvili awards Bagrati architects medals
TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has awarded the architects behind the rehabilitation of Bagrati Cathedral the Medal of Excellence shortly after the cathedral rehabilitation was awarded the international prize Domus Restoration and Conservation. […]
Parliament waiting for Saakashvili to sign constitution
Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The governing coalition in Georgia says parliament will listen to President Mikheil Saakashvili’s annual address as soon as a set of recently passed constitutional amendments are signed into law and enforced. February 8, Saakashvili should have […]
Constitutional amendments are finally passed
TBILISI, DFWatch–The constitutional amendments which reduce the powers of President Mikheil Saakashvili were passed on Monday by 114 votes against 0 at the third and final hearing. When the amendments come into force, the president can no longer change […]
Saakashvili removes the bill on courts from the parliament’s schedule
Tbilisi, DFWAtch – President Saakashvili on Monday barred Parliament from voting on the bill which according to the government will ‘depoliticize’ courts while United National Movement, the former ruling party […]
Hundreds of houses damaged by storm
The storm also hit Batumi. (Photo: Vako Kavzharadze.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A storm that hit Georgia’s Black Sea coast has inflicted losses of USD 1.8 million in the Adjara region alone, according to preliminary estimates. Archil Khabadze, Chairman of the Adjaria government, said at a briefing Saturday that 43 houses […]
Metal workers fired as others block railway
Striking workers are blocking a railway line in Poti. TBILISI, DFWatch–The management of the metallurgical plant in Poti has fired nine employees the day after the port workers there went on strike. This decision led to a renewal of the workers’ rally, who at first demanded better working conditions and normal salary, […]
Fierce storm hits Georgia
The storm has damaged Black Sea coast in Georgia (Photo: IPN) Tbilisi, DFWatch – A tearing storm that hit Georgia on Sunday morning and has damaged infrastructure in Batumi city, the most popular tourist sight on Georgia’s Black Sea coast. No casualties reported yet, one fishermen disappeared, Ajara autonomous republic’s local authorities stated. […]
Russia asks for renewed visa talks with Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia again has offered to cancel visa requirements for Georgian citizens, if Georgia creates legal guarantees for Russian citizens to safely visiting the country, which means that Georgia will have to amend its law on the occupied territories. […]
Workers protest in Poti
Port and metal workers in Poti went on strike Saturday to demand better conditions. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Port and metal workers in Poti went on strike Saturday, demanding to improve their work conditions and have a normal salary. Journalists from the port city report that workers at the Georgian-Indian owned metallurgical plant were on strike the whole […]
Saakashvili finds new role from the sidelines
President Mikheil Saakashvili and his wife Sandra Roelofs. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili says he sees his role as different now than when he was in government. “My goal is to watch over the framework of our constitution and ensure that the government has an effective opposition and that the […]
Georgia negotiated about EU Association Agreement
Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Davit Zalkaliani. (Ministry photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia held a final round of negotiations about an association agreement with the EU March 21-22. This latest round, which dealt with the political part of the agreement, saw some progress which means that Georgia is better prepared for the Eastern […]
Two Georgian battalions depart for Afghanistan
A farewell ceremony was held at Vaziani military base outside of Tbilisi. (Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The 33rd and 42nd battalions of Georgia’s III and IV infantry brigades are today getting ready to depart for Afghanistan to participate in NATO’s ISAF mission. According to the Defense Ministry, both battalions have been through a six-month […]
EU Commission makes recommendations to Georgia
EU’s Ambassador to Georgia, Philip Dimitrov. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Commission recommends that Georgia amends its law on the occupied territories, improves errors in its election legislation, reforms its justice system, and avoids selective justice. The Commission writes this in a new report about the […]
Georgian tug of war on constitution ends in compromise
TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili’s coalition Thursday accepted a demand from President Mikheil Saakashvili’s National Movement party, which let it pass a set of constitutional amendments which reduces the rights of the president. After the […]
US ambassador: Georgia has strong and competitive government
US Ambassador to Georgia, Richard Norland. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–US Ambassador Richard Norland says Georgia has a strong and competitive government, a competitive parliament, independent media and justice system, and a strong and experienced opposition. Norland said this during a meeting in parliament Thursday. […]
Saakashvili ‘bought 25 000 SIM cards to build Facebook support’
Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri (left) and Defense Minister Irakli Alasania inspecting a military camp earlier this month. (Ministry of Defense.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Defense Minister Irakli Alasania Thursday told parliament that the defense ministry last year purchased 25 000 SIM cards for mobile phones in order to build up Facebook support before the election. Speaking during a meeting with the defense committee […]
Constitutional amendments may fail
TBILISI, DFWatch–The constitutional amendments to limit the president’s power to dismiss parliament may fail to be passed. The reason is that Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvivi’s Georgian Dream coalition lacks the votes to pass the amendments, while Saakashvili’s […]
More stowed-away post-war supplies discovered in Georgia
Emergency aid given after the 2008 war has been rotting away in several storehouses around Georgia. (Info9.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Local government and Refugee Ministry representatives have discovered another locked warehouse full of undistributed equipment and supplies intended for people affected by the 2008 Russia-Georgia war. This is the second such discovery. In late 2012 […]
Saakashvili’s party agrees to constitutional changes
Member of Parliament Davit Bakradze says the National Movement party will give exactly as many votes to the governing coalition as it needs. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili’s party has agreed to support a set of the constitutional amendments which will limit the powers of the president, but only if Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili’s coalition lacks the required votes. The Georgian […]
Georgia’s new ambassador to the US
Georgia’s new ambassador to the US, Archil Gegeshidze. (Radio Liberty.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s new ambassador to the US will continue his activity just like his predecessors did. Newly appointed ambassador Archil Gegeshidze Tuesday said President Mikheil Saakashvili for month didn’t sign the document about […]
Former AC Milan player Kaladze to hold final match
TBILISI, DFWatch–The former AC Milan player who is became Georgia’s Energy Minister plans to hold a farewell football match in the end of May. Kakhi Kaladze, who played for Milan in 2001-2010 and 2010-2012 for Genoa, originally planned to hold a final symbolic […]
Ivanishvili’s US visit postponed
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili currently has no specific plan to visit the United States. However, there visiting the US is on the list of future plans, according to Archil Gegeshidze, Georgia’s new ambassador to the US. After the […]
Georgia’s foreign minister visits Azerbaijan
Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maia Panjikidze, and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev. (Ministry photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Maia Panjikidze on Tuesday met with the president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, to discuss bilateral relations and further cooperation. During her visit to Azerbaijan, Panjikidze also met with the prime minister […]
Georgia confirms nine new ambassadors
TBILISI, DFWatch–President of Georgia on Monday approved the list of nine new ambassadors, by signing the document which parliament passed February 20. The new ambassadors are those serving in Belgium, Ukraine, France, US, Hungary, Austria, Latvia, Czech Republic […]
Georgia to send military instructors to Mali
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is considering taking part in military operations held under the auspices of the European Union. First Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Davit Zalkaliani Monday informed the media about planned activities of the ministry. He said that Georgia […]
Georgian government answers European People’s Party
TBILISI, DFWatch–After an exchange of open letters between Georgian government officials and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from the European People’s Party, the Georgian government has now published a long memorandum to argue its case against criticism […]
Saakashvili dragging out approval of ambassadors
Georgia’s foreign minister Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Saakashvili has postponed for a month the signing of a document passed by parliament about confirming the country’s new ambassadors. Foreign Affairs Minister Maia Panjikidze claims in an interview with DF Watch that the president […]
Storm hits Black Sea coast
The yacht club in Batumi is closed because of a storm. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A storm hit Georgia Sunday evening and is threatening to inflict damage. Rescue personnel are mobilized in several regions of the country. According to local media, the wind has a speed of 20 meters per second on the Black Sea coast in the Adjara […]
Student protest continues despite promises
Students at the Agriculture University continue to protest today, despite promises to restore the school’s accreditation. TBILISI, DFWatch–The Center for Education Quality Development on Saturday informed that the Agriculture University has corrected errors which led to its accreditation being suspended, and the authorization process will start on Monday. The center’s March 12 decision […]
Lawmakers start work on constitutional amendments
TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliament in Georgia will today start reviewing a draft bill for amending the constitution and reduce the president’s right to dismiss the government any time he wants without confirmation from the parliament. The bill, which is signed by 78 MPs, […]
Ivanishvili to address PACE
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s prime minister will participate at a session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg from April 20. Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili will address the assembly, according to Tina Khidasheli, a member […]
Georgian parliament speaker finishes ‘interesting’ US visit
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian speaker of parliament said his week-long visit to the US has been ‘beneficial, interesting and timely.’ Speaker Davit Usupashvili was Saturday meeting with the media after holding nearly 50 meetings with the US Congress, State […]
Robakidze video has been edited, examination shows
TBILISI, DFWatch–A forensic examination has concluded that a video clip of a police operation in 2004 which ended the life of Buta Robakidze has been edited. The Prosecutor’s Office on Friday published the results of an examination of the video, which was released […]
Bushfire in southwest Georgia
Firefighters have cut down trees to try to contain the fire. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Firefighters are trying to contain a bushfire that is spreading in the Adjara region in south western Georgia on the Black Sea shores, bur wind is making their work is made difficult. Journalists for the local newspaper Batumelebi and the news agency […]
Snow blocks two roads in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–A road in the Mtskheta region close to the capital is closed for all traffic after an avalanche. Also part of a road in Gudauri-Kobi in northern Georgia is blocked by masses of snow. The Road Department on Friday said clearance work is in progress. […]
European People’s Party continues educating Georgian leader
Wilfried Martens, Belgian veteran politician and co-founder of the European People’s Party, is a staunch supporter of Georgia’s president, Mikheil Saakashvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The European People’s Party has published a declaration that highlights a divide in how current events in Georgia are understood in Brussels and Tbilisi. The EPP has adopted a declaration that makes it clear that the party thinks Georgia is no […]
Time schedule for visa liberalization plan ready
Minister for Euro-Atlantic Integration Alexi Petriashvili. (Official photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A time schedule for implementing the action plan for visa liberalization between Georgia and the EU has been confirmed. Minister for Euro-Atlantic Integration Alexi Petriashvili explained Thursday that the new agreement sets detailed goals for […]